Foot Care for Seniors: Common Issues and Maintenance Strategies - Feet First Clinic (2024)

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Foot Care for Seniors: Common Issues and Maintenance Strategies - Feet First Clinic (1)

Written by Brittany Stuckless on August 19, 2024

Last updated August 22, 2024

Medically reviewed by Peyman Alishahi, D. Ch.

Foot care for seniors is a vital aspect of maintaining overall health and mobility. As we age, our feet undergo changes that can lead to various problems, making it essential to prioritize foot health. This article will explore common foot problems in older adults and offer practical foot care tips for the elderly to help maintain mobility and prevent discomfort as much as possible.

Foot Care for Seniors: Common Issues and Maintenance Strategies - Feet First Clinic (2)

Understanding Aging Adults’ Foot Health

Aging adults’ foot health often deteriorates due to factors such as reduced blood circulation, thinning skin, and the natural wear and tear on joints and muscles. These changes can lead to an increased risk of developing foot issues, which can severely impact mobility and quality of life.

Common Foot Problems in Older Adults

Several common foot problems in older adults can arise as a result of aging:

Plantar Fasciitis

Decades wearing the wrong shoes for your feet = feeling the damage and heel pain when you get older. Seniors are also vulnerable to plantar fasciitis if they have balance and mobility challenges, as these affect the natural gait pattern. In other words, as older adults struggle with movement, they might walk differently, which can put extra stress on their feet and lead to heel pain. Lastly, poor blood circulation means less ability to recover from “micro injuries,” which is essentially what plantar fasciitis is.

Bunions

Bothersome bunions affect seniors more than younger adults. The toes spread out more due to natural aging-related foot changes, placing pressure on the wrong areas. Bunions can also tend to form and worsen gradually over time, meaning seniors will feel their full effects.

Foot Care for Seniors: Common Issues and Maintenance Strategies - Feet First Clinic (3)

Dry Skin

Skin aging doesn’t just affect our face; it affects our feet too! As we age, the processes that help our feet stay moisturized, namely the production of natural oils and cell renewal, slow down. This leads to dry, flaky skin on the feet. Dry skin is on the feet is not just a cosmetic concern; it makes the feet more prone to developing many problems like itching, cracked heels, corns and calluses.

Corns and Calluses

Not only does our skin get dryer as we age, it also gets thinner. This makes the feet more prone to developing corns and calluses. Corns and calluses are caused by friction, and are two of the most common skin problems affecting seniors. When the skin thins, the skin forms calluses and corns more quickly in order to protect itself. This issue is compounded for older adults who have been wearing ill-fitting shoes for years

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (also referred to as degenerative joint disease) is a form of arthritis typically associated with aging. It is caused by cumulative wear-and-tear on the joints. Over time, the protective lining around the joints wears down, resulting in excessive rubbing and grinding between joints.

Foot Care Tips for the Elderly

Foot Care for Seniors: Common Issues and Maintenance Strategies - Feet First Clinic (4)

Foot care for seniors entails a proactive approach. Here are our top tips for maintaining foot health as you age:

Regular Foot Inspections and Hygiene

Our number-one foot care tip for older adults is to get regular medical pedicures with a chiropodist. This is especially helpful for seniors who have difficulty bending or trimming their own toenails. A licensed Toronto chiropodist can properly trim and file your toenails, remove corns and calluses, and address any other common foot problems in older adults. A foot specialist will also inspect and keep an your feet for any signs of redness, swelling, cuts, or sores that could indicate a worsening skin issue. Our Toronto chiropodists will also provide expert foot care advice for your at-home maintenance.

At-Home Foot Care: Moisturizing, Hygiene and Inspections

Foot care for seniors should involve moisturizing daily with a foot cream in order to keep the skin on the feet strong and firm. This will also help reduce callus and corn buildup. At-home foot care for seniors also involves practicing good hygiene, including washing feet daily and keeping your toenails trimmed. This is essential to prevent infections and other complications.

Proper Footwear and Medical Devices

Footwear plays a significant role in senior foot care. Shoes should provide adequate support, have a wide toe box to prevent crowding, and offer cushioning for shock absorption. Orthotic inserts can also be beneficial for those with specific foot conditions or discomfort, especially plantar fasciitis. There are also products like silicone toe separators, bunion aligners, and bunion splints worth trying.

Maintaining Foot Mobility and Stability

Regular exercise and fall prevention strategies can keep the muscles and joints in the feet strong and flexible. Simple exercises like toe stretches, ankle circles, and calf raises can improve circulation and maintain range of motion.

A targeted approach is ideal, and you can memorize foot exercises and stretches designed for your condition or age, such as routines for bunions, arthritis part one and two, plantar fasciitis, and women over 65. Many of these exercises help with more than one condition!

Foot Care for Seniors: Common Issues and Maintenance Strategies - Feet First Clinic (5)

Are You a Toronto Senior Looking For Expert Foot Care?

Whether it’s bunions, skin issues or something we haven’t talked about today, our chiropodists are trained to understand your unique foot concerns and provide the best advice, treatment and maintenance strategies! Call us at(416) 769-3338orbook an appointment here!

Banner image by FreePik!

Foot Care for Seniors: Common Issues and Maintenance Strategies - Feet First Clinic (6)

About Author: Brittany Stuckless

Brittany holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Memorial University of Newfoundland. With a diverse background in journalism and marketing, she got her start as a freelance content writer. She currently works as a Marketing Assistant at Real Food for Real Kids in addition to her role as a writer at Feet First Clinic. Previously, Brittany has been a journalist for the Ontario Learning Development Foundation and Immigrant Muse magazine, and an Administrative and Marketing Assistant at Evolve Chiropractic and Physiotherapy. Originally from Newfoundland, she has lived in Toronto since 2014.

Learn more about Brittany Stuckless

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September 23, 2024

Preparing Your Feet for Fall: Essential Tips for Comfort and Support

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Foot Care for Seniors: Common Issues and Maintenance Strategies - Feet First Clinic (2024)

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